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Advanced HFSS Training:The Field Calculator

Richard RemskiApplications Engineer, Ansoft Corporation

2

by

Richard Remski

Ansoft Apps Engineer

A REFERENCE for the

REST of US!

Designed for people who

slept through Vector

Calculus...just like ME!

• Isosurface? What the heck’s an isosurface?

• Normal Vectors I have known and loved

• How not to Cross your Integrals, and otherstories

• A Domain of your Own

• Integration by parts: It’s not just a good idea: it’s the Law!

*The “For Dummies” name, cover style, and cartoon figure are all trademarks of Hungry Minds, Inc. Their use here is whimsical and by no means represents an endorsement by Hungry Minds, Inc. of the presentation to follow.

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Synopsis

§ Field Calculator Basics• Definition and Basic Layout• Data Types and Indicators• Detailed Layout• Usage

§ Field Calculator Usage Example: Scattering Computations• Reflected magnitude computations at various incidence

angles from a dielectric slab• Problem setup• Calculator Use• Macro/Optimetrics Setup

§ Additional Sources• Calculator Cookbook and Macro Manual

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HFSS Field Calculator: Definition§ A tool for performing

mathematical operations on ALLsaved field data in the modeled geometry• E, H, J, and Poynting data

available• Perform operations using

drawing geometry or new geometry created in Post3

• Perform operations at single frequency (interp. or discrete sweeps) or other frequencies (fast sweep)

• Generate numerical, graphical, geometrical, or exportable data

• Macro-enabled

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HFSS Field Calculator: Basic LayoutData Stack: Contains current and saved entries in a scrolling stack similar to a hand-held scientific calculator.

Data Stack: Contains current and saved entries in a scrolling stack similar to a hand-held scientific calculator.

Name Field: for renaming the top stack expression

Name Field: for renaming the top stack expression

Calculator Functions: Organized groupings of all the available calculator functions in button format. Some buttons contain further options as drop-down menus.

Calculator Functions: Organized groupings of all the available calculator functions in button format. Some buttons contain further options as drop-down menus.

Stack Operations: Buttons for manipulating stack contents only.

Stack Operations: Buttons for manipulating stack contents only.

Degree/Radian SelectorDegree/Radian Selector

Status Bar (not currently shown): Some operations will provide help feedback across the lower edge of the calculator during use.

Status Bar (not currently shown): Some operations will provide help feedback across the lower edge of the calculator during use.

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HFSS Field Calculator: Data Types§ The calculator can

manipulate many different types of data

• Geometric• Complex• Vector• Scalar

§ Data types are indicated in the calculator stack for each entry

§ Most calculator operations are only available on the appropriate data type(s)

Vector data output to a plane geometry

Vector data output to a plane geometry

Location (Inches)

Mag

EY (N

orm

aliz

ed)

FIG. 4. NORMALIZED EY-FIELD MAGNITUDE, LOSSLESS WR-90

Scalar E-field data graphed along a line geometry

Scalar E-field data graphed along a line geometry

Geometric surface generated along E field iso-value contour

Geometric surface generated along E field iso-value contour

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HFSS Field Calculator: Data Indicators§ Each stack entry will be

preceded by a unique code denoting its data type• Mathematical:

• CVc: Complex Vector• Vec: Vector• CSc: Complex Scalar• Scl: Scalar

• Geometric:• Pnt: Point• Lin: Line• Srf: Surface• Vol: Volume

• Combinations can also exist• e.g. “SclSrf”: Scalar data

distributed on a Surface geometry

CALCULATOR USAGE HINT: Most data input types will be self-explanatory, e.g. E and H fields being Phasor quantities will be Complex Vectors (CVc). The only exception to this rule is the Poynting input, which will show up as a “CVc” even though E × H∗should have no imaginary component. The calculator only knows that two complex vectors were crossed, and does not know ahead of time that the imaginary component has been zeroed.

CALCULATOR USAGE HINT: Most data input types will be self-explanatory, e.g. E and H fields being Phasor quantities will be Complex Vectors (CVc). The only exception to this rule is the Poynting input, which will show up as a “CVc” even though E × H∗should have no imaginary component. The calculator only knows that two complex vectors were crossed, and does not know ahead of time that the imaginary component has been zeroed.

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HFSS Field Calculator: Detail Layout - StackAs data is entered into the calculator it appears at the TOP of the stack, pushing older entries DOWN.

PUSH duplicates the top stack entry

POP deletes the top entry off the stack

RLDN ‘rolls’ the stack downward, moving the top entry to the bottom

RLUP ‘rolls’ the stack upward, moving the bottom entry to the top

EXCH exchanges or swaps the top two stack entries

CLEAR deletes ALL entries from the stack upon confirmation

UNDO attempts to take back the last operation between stack entries. It may not work for all data types (e.g. the results of a pure math operation cannot be reversed)

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HFSS Field Calculator: Detail Layout - OperationsAll calculator operations are organized into columns classifying them by the type of operation and the type of data upon which the operation can be performed.

The INPUT column contains all operations which input new data into the stack (field data, constants, user-entered vector or complex numbers, etc.)

The INPUT column contains all operations which input new data into the stack (field data, constants, user-entered vector or complex numbers, etc.)

The VECTORcolumn contains operations to be performed on vector data such as converting to scalar, Dot and Cross products, and Unit Vector computations

The VECTORcolumn contains operations to be performed on vector data such as converting to scalar, Dot and Cross products, and Unit Vector computations

The GENERALcolumn contains operations which can be performed on many data types (e.g. adding scalar values or adding vectors).

The GENERALcolumn contains operations which can be performed on many data types (e.g. adding scalar values or adding vectors).

SCALAR column operations can only be performed on Scalar data (not complex or vector data), such as finding the Cosine of a value using the Trig functions.

SCALAR column operations can only be performed on Scalar data (not complex or vector data), such as finding the Cosine of a value using the Trig functions.

OUTPUT column operations result in the generation of calculator outputs, in either numerical, graphical (displayed as 2D graphs or in the 3D view), or exported form

OUTPUT column operations result in the generation of calculator outputs, in either numerical, graphical (displayed as 2D graphs or in the 3D view), or exported form

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HFSS Field Calculator: Detail Layout – Exploded View

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HFSS Field Calculator: Usage – Overview§ Use just like a scientific calculator

• Notation is RPN, similar to HP scientific calculators

• “First Quantity”, “Second Quantity”, then “Operation”

• Remember stack fills from the topand pushes older contents below.

§ General use progresses from left to right• Input quantity or quantities at left• Perform operations in middle

• Operate between quantities; apply quantities to geometries, etc.

• Define desired output type at right

CALCULATOR USAGE HINT: Any time you use the Fields post-processor to plot a quantity (Plot->Fields) you are actually performing operations using the calculator! To see the steps that went into generating the plot you just created, open the calculator interface and view the stack contents. This can often help guide you as you try to use the calculator to create your own custom outputs.

CALCULATOR USAGE HINT: Any time you use the Fields post-processor to plot a quantity (Plot->Fields) you are actually performing operations using the calculator! To see the steps that went into generating the plot you just created, open the calculator interface and view the stack contents. This can often help guide you as you try to use the calculator to create your own custom outputs.

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HFSS Field Calculator: Usage – Changing Data Types• As discussed previously, many

operations must be on the correct data type

• Many operations result in a different data type than the inputs

• Ex1: The Dot product of two vectors is a scalar.

• Ex2: Obtaining the Unit Vec"Normal to a Surf generates a Vector.

• Some calculator buttons exist primarily to assist in type conversion

• Vec? converts Scl to Vec data• Scal? does the reverse• Cmplx " Real or Cmplx " Imag takes a

Scl component from a CSc or CVc• Cmplx " CmplxR or Cmplx " CmplxI

take a Vec or Scl component and make it the real or imaginary part of a complex value CVc or CSc, respectively

Always think of what type of data you are working with and whether or not it is compatible with your desired operation. For example, note the INTEGRAL sign is in the Scalar column, implying that to integrate complex numbers you will have to integrate the real and imaginary components separately, performing an integration by parts.

Always think of what type of data you are working with and whether or not it is compatible with your desired operation. For example, note the INTEGRAL sign is in the Scalar column, implying that to integrate complex numbers you will have to integrate the real and imaginary components separately, performing an integration by parts.

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HFSS Field Calculator: Usage – Input Types§ The available field inputs are

• E : The complex vector E field data everywhere in the modeled geometry

• H : The complex vector H field data everywhere in the modeled geometry

• Poynting : The time-average Poynting vector computed from the above as ½ (E × H∗)

• Jvol: Current density in a volume, computed as (σ + jωε″)E which contains both conduction and displacement currents)

• Jsurf: Net Surface current computed as n × (H top tetrahedra – Hbottom tetrahedra)

• Unlike other quantities, Jsurf can only be output on an object surface geometry

E and H are Peak Phasor representations of the steady-state fields. Therefore the current representations J derived from n × H or σE are also Peak Phasor quantities. The Poynting Vector input is a time-averagedquantity.

E and H are Peak Phasor representations of the steady-state fields. Therefore the current representations J derived from n × H or σE are also Peak Phasor quantities. The Poynting Vector input is a time-averagedquantity.

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HFSS Field Calculator: Usage – Output Types§ Different data outputs can be generated depending on

selected Output column button and stack content(s)• Draw provides graphical geometry output in the

post-processor• Plot generates field graphical output (scalar or

vector) depending on stack contents• Anim generates animations with respect to a

position or phase animation variable• 2D Plot creates line-graphs of scalar quantities

in a rectangular (XY) plot format• Value is used to take the ‘value’ of a field stack

entry on a specific geometry• Eval turns stack placeholder text into final numerical

answers• Write and Export outputs stack data to output file formats for

use outside the calculator or current project

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HFSS Field Calculator: Usage – Possible Operations§ As long as you can perform the math

using the interface, there is no restriction on the possible calculator operations available• Outputs derived can be other than

‘electromagnetic’ in nature• Pure geometric operations (vector and

surface cross and dot products, generation of Iso-surface contours from any scalar data field imported into the geometry, etc.)

• Thermal heating computations derived from field values combined with thermal mass characteristics and equations

• Integrations to obtain summary quantities such as Quality factors, power dissipation or flux, etc.

∫ ∫

∫

Γ Ω

Ω

Ω+Γ×

Ω=

dtgds

dQu

22

2

2HHn

H

δ

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Field Calculator Example: Bistatic Scattering

• HFSS is capable of computing plane-wave scattering solutions

• Normal incidence can be computed using a ‘waveguide simulation’ approach, with port excitations

• Off-normal incidence however requires fields post-processing for data extraction from plane-wave excited solutions

• Possible applications include radomes and radome filters, RCS analysis, and PBG analysis

• This example will illustrate the computation techniques necessary to obtain reflected field magnitude from a dielectric slab

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Model Construction• A 2 x 2 µm unit cell representing an ‘infinite’

sheet of dielectric, εr = 11.8, 2 µm thick• Incident wave will be 25 THz, varying from

normal to 60° incidence angles, TM polarization

• Linked boundary phase settings must vary with incidence angle. Use Optimetrics to automate parametric analysis.*

• The height of air on each side of the dielectric must consider the necessary evaluation planes for the field calculator!

• The cutplane for magnitude (or phase) integration data cannot intersect the dielectric itself, and should not be too ‘close’ to the very reactive near fields

• Min height to clear 60° angled plane is 2*tan(60), or 3.46, plus λ/10 clearance of 1.2 is 4.66. Use 5 microns air.

PML slabs top and bottom sized at 1.2 µm height, material parameters determined with automatic “PMLmatsetup”macro.

For incidence wave angle of arrival (0,θ), where θ=0-60°, Master/Slave phase relation is set to (180,θ) to correspond to the specular angle

PML outer faces terminated with perfect_H

*The simulations can be done without Optimetrics: one HFSS project per incidence angle.

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Parametric Operation• Optimetrics Nominal Project has one

input variable• thetaang will control the incident wave’s

theta angle for a parametric sweep• Same variable used in master/slave

boundary setting

• Output from the nominal project will be generated by macro-recording of operations in the field calculator

• Cutplanes for post-processing will be generated before macro recording [Post-processor geometry is copied for parametric models with no geometry variations]

• Calculator ‘Write’ operation permits exportation of computed values into Optimetrics-available outputs

Cutplanes are easily generated from the Geometry menu. The carat buttons permit rotation of normal about the X, Y, or Z axis by 10 degree increments per click. Cutplanes need to be created normal to both the incident AND the scattered ray directions.

Cutplanes are easily generated from the Geometry menu. The carat buttons permit rotation of normal about the X, Y, or Z axis by 10 degree increments per click. Cutplanes need to be created normal to both the incident AND the scattered ray directions.

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Calculator Operations§ The calculator will be used to

extract two quantities• Incident magnitude, Pinc

• Computed using Incident field solution

• Reflected magnitude,Pref

• Computed using Scattered field solution

§ These quantities will then be used to compute reflection coefficient with Optimetrics• ρmag= (Pref/ Pinc)1/2

S is the evaluation surface used for each calculation.

Since the Field Calculator already provides the RMS Poynting vector, we will be able to select it directly and integrate it over the desired surface rather than having to compute it ourselves.

Note however that if we were interested in reflection coefficient in a given polarization (from some surface which might impart a polarization change relative to the incident wave) we would have to manually compute the Poynting vector using only the E and Hfield components of interest for the reflected case.

S is the evaluation surface used for each calculation.

Since the Field Calculator already provides the RMS Poynting vector, we will be able to select it directly and integrate it over the desired surface rather than having to compute it ourselves.

Note however that if we were interested in reflection coefficient in a given polarization (from some surface which might impart a polarization change relative to the incident wave) we would have to manually compute the Poynting vector using only the E and Hfield components of interest for the reflected case.

( ) dSHEP incincS

inc ⋅∗×= ∫ 21

( ) dSHEP refrefS

ref ⋅∗×= ∫ 21

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Magnitude Computation( ) dSHEP refref

Sref ⋅∗×= ∫ 2

1

1. Start Macro Recording

2. Data→Edit Sources. Select Scattered Field for Prefcalculation first.

3. Open Calculator interface

4. Qty →Poynting (auto-computed RMS Poynting Vector)

5. Cmplx →Real (eliminate unneeded imaginary)

6. Geom →Surface (select one of the created evaluation surfaces)

7. Normal (The ‘Normal’ button is a shortcut for ‘take the dot product of the surface normal of this surface to the prior stack entry)

8. ∫

9. Eval (creates actual numerical output from symbolic)

10. Abs (absolute value)

11. Write…→Enter output variable name and save file name for reflected power

4

5

6

7 11

9

8

10

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Mag. Computation, cont.

12. Data Edit Sources. Select Incident field for Pinccomputation

13. Return to calculator interface.

14. Qty →Poynting (auto-computed RMS Poynting Vector)

15. Cmplx →Real (eliminate unneeded imaginary)

16. Geom →Surface (select one of the created evaluation surfaces)

17. Normal (The ‘Normal’ button is a shortcut for ‘take the dot product of the surface normal of this surface to the prior stack entry)

18. ∫

19. Eval (creates actual numerical output from symbolic)

20. Abs (absolute value)

21. Write…→Enter output variable name and save file name for incident power

22. Stop Macro Recording

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15

16

17 21

19

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( ) dSHEP incincS

inc ⋅∗×= ∫ 21

10

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Optimetrics Macro

• We now have a saved macro which is not yet universal across projects

• It explicitly calls out the source name, which varies with angle

• It uses only one set of incidence and reflection evaluation cutplanes

• If you are running individual projects, you only need to fix the first issue

• Can have the macro ask you for the incidence angle for which the cutplane will be selected

• Create all cutplanes in the first project, then copy it to run the subsequent incidence angles (Post-processor geometry is copied automatically)

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Opt. Macro Edit

§ In the macro recording:• Insert lines to read in the thetaang

input variable• Optimetrics knows this is a variable,

but the post-processor of each project does not

• Set up conditionals to assign an incident evaluation plane name and reflection evaluation plane name, as shown

• Replace occurrences of the name used in recording the original macro with the appropriate variable entry

• Only one occurrence for each• Comment out or delete command lines

containing:• SetPortSourceType, SetSourcePhase,

or SetSourceMagnitude• Should be two occurrences of each

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Bistatic Scattering Example: Results

Reflection Coefficient

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Angle off Normal (deg)

Mag

nit

ud

e

Rho (theory)Rho (HFSS)

§ Calculated results agree well with theoretical values• Accuracy drops for

higher incidence angles

• Can compensate with more convergence if necessary

• May also increase air height and evaluation plane elevation over reflection surface

• Remember, we analyzed only a λ/6 square sample!

Reflection Coefficient

Angle (deg) Rho (theory) Rho (HFSS) Error (%)0 0.5689 0.56566 0.56952

10 0.5589 0.554215 0.83825420 0.5283 0.525062 0.61290930 0.4765 0.474756 0.36600240 0.4031 0.38823 3.68891150 0.3095 0.281008 9.20581660 0.1977 0.167143 15.45625

Bistatic Reflection Coefficient

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HFSS Field Calculator: Closing

§ Thru illustration, application of the field calculator has been reviewed

§ Although not covered herein, the calculator’s functionality extends its usefulness to many model applications

§ Macro implementation permits generation of a user library of ‘frequently-used’ computations

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HFSS Field Calculator: Additional materials

§ More computations in the field calculator are outlined in the “Calculator Cookbook”(on your CDs)• “Living Document” under

continual updating

§ Macro language use is covered more in depth in the Macro Manual• A macro primer and additional

macro presentation are also part of this workshop

§ Further questions: Check the online help or call an AE!

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HFSS Field Calculator: Future Expansion

§ The author intends to expand this presentation to include a second computation example• Suggestions welcome! Ideas so far include:

• Coupling coefficient between two cavities from an eigensolution project

• Evaluation of current along the length of a monopole• Plot of wave impedance along the throat of a waveguide horn• Isosurface computation for high power applications

§ The Bistatic scattering example will be expanded to show a computation of the relative phase of the reflection to the incidence as well as the magnitude

§ All projects associated with these examples will be made available (unsolved) from our technical support website along with this presentation

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